new to reloading the ar.any advice?

i'm accustomed to reloading for revolver calibers,shotguns,and many bolt actions for many yrs.i want to reload for an colt hbar ar15 with 1/7 twist.i have imr4064 around but i'm thinking i may need something more like h335.i'm thinking because of the twist rate that i'll need a heavier than usual bullet like 60 grains or more.now the big question is about the dies.i want hornady but only rcbs sells small base reloading dies.can i get away with just full length sizing dies?or do i have to get the small based ones?whatever the type i get,i'm also going to get a lee crimper for crimping in a seperate step.any advice will be very much apreciated ty.

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cdrt

September 19, 2008, 11:36 PM

The die question has been asked before. Regular dies should work just fine with your AR. No need to get the small base set.

Bullet

September 19, 2008, 11:56 PM

You might look here -

http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html

There is loading data from Sierra there too.

Iíd recommend Sierra 77gr MatchKings for your twist rate and these will still fit in your mag. I went with the listed accuracy load, but some people like Varget or RE-15. I donít use small base dies and have not had a problem and I donít crimp for the MatchKings.

I would recommend getting one of these to set your dies to not size your cases more than necessary -

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...756&t=11082005

I measure a fired case with the mic and then resize it to .002 or .003 under the fired case size.

highlander 5

September 20, 2008, 12:05 AM

Use a ball powder like Win 748 and get a case gauge so you don't over size your cases to small. I use Redding standard dies with a carbide expander with good results.

tokarev762

September 20, 2008, 12:05 AM

I was seraching for info last night and came across this.

http://radomski.us/njhp/cart_tech.htm

There are many more pages like that. As mine is a 1-9 and I just shoot out to 100 yds. I just sick with the 55's and Varget.

ziggy222

September 20, 2008, 12:42 AM

tyvm everyone.i think i have enough info to get started.ty again.

ziggy222

September 21, 2008, 02:13 PM

ok i noticed that many heavier bullets don't have a crimping cannelure.should i crimp them anyway or should i pass up any bullets without the cannelure?i was under the impression loads for the ar15 needed crimped.

NuJudge

September 21, 2008, 02:19 PM

If you are only going to be shooting at 100 yards, or 200 yards with winds parallel to the range, I suggest a 52gr bullet,26.5gr 748, a CCI primer and a LC or WRA case.

For 200 and 300 yards with crosswinds I like 69 or 68gr bullets and IMR 4895 with Winchester primers.

There is no need to crimp .223 cartridges. I've fired countless thousands of .223 handloaded rounds over 35 years, and the only ones I ever crimped were those using cast bullets. I've never had a bullet telescope back into the case.

Bullet

September 21, 2008, 11:16 PM

If the bullet Iím shooting has a cannelure I crimp. If it doesnít I donít.

counterclockwise

September 21, 2008, 11:41 PM

1. For my Bushy HBar 1:9 20" bbl, I am working through 26.5 gn Varget, using CCI41, LC'02 1X, 55gn FMJBT. At 26.5 gn, no overpressure signs, and very tight speeds (3046) and groups. XM193 runs 3250 in the same rig.

One word of caution, be careful about case trimming. The casing drawing on some sites shows 1.760, implying a +/- tolerance. It should be 1.760 max. and -020 tolerance. I have found that some chambers have a neck material clearance bore very short and intolerant of anything over 1.760.

Finally, I have had telescopes or set backs, so would recommend that autoloaders like AR's use crimps in cannelures if you got 'em.

PS: Do not be heavy handed with the roll crimp in the seater die. It is difficult to get a XM193-like crimp without causing case bulging in the conical transistion area. Seat and crimp in a separate process will help. Many now use the Lee FCD factory crimp die, a separate device, for making the crimp.

reloader223

September 23, 2008, 10:00 PM

Dont rule out a 55 grain bullet without trying first. Yes get that Lee crimper but just crimp 'enough' .Just a full length sizer will do great. H335 is a good one but Win 748 Ive had great groups with. IMR 4320 has been a good one for me with 55gr Nosler Balistic Tips,mag primer 25 grains powder,at 2.255 seating depth,with it almost NO case expansion. Of course work up your own load with power charge & seating depth.

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